# Is takeout culture associated with rising colorectal cancer in young Chinese adults? An ecological analysis of GBD and CHNS data

## TL;DR

This study suggests that the rise in takeout culture in China may be linked to increasing colorectal cancer rates among young adults.

## Contribution

The paper connects the growth of the takeout industry with unhealthy dietary trends and rising colorectal cancer incidence in young Chinese adults.

## Key findings

- Colorectal cancer incidence increased among Chinese adults aged 20–39 from 2010 to 2021.
- The rise in takeout consumption coincided with unhealthy dietary shifts like increased soft drink consumption.
- Risk factors like low whole grain intake and high red meat consumption contributed to higher disease burden.

## Abstract

To explore the epidemiology of diet-related diseases and shifts in dietary habits among frequent takeout consumers in China over the previous decade.

This study utilized data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021 to analyze incidence trends of 12 diet-related diseases, including nutritional deficiencies, non-neoplastic digestive diseases, and gastrointestinal cancers, spanning from 2010 to 2021. Additionally, we assessed changes in Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) attributable to various risk factors. Changes in dietary behavior among young Chinese adults were evaluated using data from the China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS).

The standardized incidence of Vitamin A deficiency has consistently declined over the past decade. Among non-neoplastic digestive diseases, inflammatory bowel disease showed the most pronounced decrease. In contrast, the burden of colorectal cancer has increased annually across all age groups. Significant risk factors for colorectal cancer—including low intake of whole grains and milk, and high consumption of red and processed meats, as well as smoking—have contributed to an increase in DALYs in 2021 compared to 2010. Additionally, these shifts in beverage consumption—particularly the steep rise in soft drinks—are a key public health concern given their established dietary risks. Critically, their temporal coincidence with the explosive growth of the takeout market posits the delivery ecosystem as a potential amplifier of these unhealthy dietary patterns.

From 2010 to 2021, colorectal cancer incidence rose among Chinese adults aged 20–39, despite declining burdens of nutritional deficiencies and non-neoplastic digestive diseases. This trend parallels shifts in dietary behavior and the rapid growth of the takeout industry. These findings call for further research into causal links and platform-based public health interventions promoting healthier diets.

Diagram illustrating the relationship between frequent takeout consumers and diet-related diseases. It shows takeout services leading to frequent consumption, impacting dietary behavior and contributing to various diseases, including malnutrition and cancers. The diagram is divided into sections: "Question Raising" with logos and food icons, "Analysis of Disease Burden" with a list of diseases and associated charts, and "Analysis of Dietary Behaviors" depicting lifestyle factors with graphs.